Driving connection



y April 9, 1935. R. HENRY" DRIVING CONNECTION Filed sept. 1o, 1928 5 sheets-sheet 1 R. HENRY l 1,997,488

DRIVING CONNECTION April 9, 1935.

Filed Sept. lO, 1928 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 l@ if 19;@ i l l? N W 7M April 9, 1935. R. HENRY DRIVING CONNECTION Filed Sept-10, 1928 5 Sheets-Sheet I5` i flaw/r n r A.. f I

April 9, 1935 R. HENRY 1,997,488

DRIVING CONNECTION Filed Sept. 10, 1928 5 Sheens--SheefI 4 @NM @w wf m "Q @QN S Q NNN hw NAS y .ma n N NN mm n N fm@ -n mmv M ,N m Nv 1 E N\ ENN (N Y ,f f

April 9,1935. R.- HENRY` 41,997,483`

" DRIVING CONNECTION' Filed sept. 1o, 192s Y "iii shaft.

Patented Apr. 9, 193i",`

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE vDRIVING. CONNECTION Raymond Henry, Rock Island, Ill. v Application september 10, 192s, serial No. 305,011 i "11 claims. (01.64.4102) The present invention relates to driving connections of a flexible character adapted for interposition in power transmitting shafts, having particular reference to such connections adapted for association with the propeller shaft of an automobile although, as will be hereinafter apparent, the invention has utility in numerous other power transmitting situations.

One of the principal objects of the invention is to provide an improved construction of universal joint in which all of the present-day difficulties of wear, noise and play arcobviated, such being attained by eliminating all metal-to-metal contacts at the oscillatory bearing points of the-joint.

l5 In avoiding such metal-to-metal contacts I employ elastic bushings at these points, which absorb all of the relative oscillatory movements between the working parts of the joint by elastic flexure of thebushings, instead of by sliding contact between metallic surfaces.

Thus there are no bearing surfaces to wear and develop play and noise, the present joint requiring no lubrication whatever nor any protection against dirt and grit and remaining quiet during its entire life.

ther advantage of cushioning motor impulses, or such other shock forces as the driving or driven shaft may tend to transmit through the joint.

I have found that a universal joint so construct- 20 ed is only successful, and the above advantages can only be obtained, when the elastic bushings are compressed under pressure in their installation for maintaining pressure engagement with the relatively movable parts of the joint. The invention, therefore, contemplates as one of its'important features the concept of these bushings being maintained under a permanent compression, together with the means for establishing this pressure in the 1.0 bushings.

Another object of the invention is to provide an improved construction of telescopic or sleeve coupling for permitting relative endwisemovement betwecn alined sections of the power transmitting played in the propeller shaft of an automobile for permitting extension and contraction of the shaft inciden#J to relative vertical movement-between the automobile body and the rear axle. In construct- 'J ing the present coupling I also avoid the necessity of sliding metal-to-metal contacts by the use of an elastic insert or inserts in the coupling, the elastic flexure of which accommodates the relative endwise movement between the coupling. secthe present universal joint.

' mately on the plane of the line In addition, the/joint'has the fura.v relatively high initial Such type` of coupling is. commonly emthe rear universal Such elastic insert or inserts also cushion motor impulses or such other shock forces as either shaft section may' tend to transmit throughthe coupling. As described of the universal joint, it is also desirable to place these elastic inserts under 5 an initial compression, andone of the features of the invention resides inthe means for establishing this pressure.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following description of a preferred embodimentthereof., In the` accompanying drawings illustrating such embodiment; 'Y Y Y Y Fig. 1 is a side elevational view of. one form of yl5 Fig. 2 is a. transverse view,.partly in section,

taken Vapproximately on the plane of the line 2--2 Fig. 3 is a detail sectional view taken approxi- 3--3 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 4 is a perspective` view of one of the elastic bushings.

Fig. 5 Vis a similar view illustrating a modified form of bushing, or illustrating the shape which the preceding conical bushing `will assume under pressure. Y

Fig. 6 is a side view, partly in section, illustrating a modified form of universal joint and illustrating one form of elastic extensible coupling.

Fig. '7 is an axialsectionalview taken on the 22. plane of the line 1-1 of Fig. 6.

Fig. 8 is a transverse sectional view through the extensible or sleeve coupling, corresponding to a section taken on the plane of the line `8-8 of Figf.

,Fig.'9 is a perspective view of one of theelastic bushings employed in the universal joint illustrated in Figs. 6 and 7.

` Fig. 10 is a, side elevational view of an automobile propeller shaft, illustrating a modified form of thepresent universal joint at the front Y and rear ends thereof, and illustrating a modified` form of extensible Vcoupling associated with the shaft.`

Fig. l1 is a longitudinal sectional View through 45 joint taken on the plane of the line H-II of FiglO.`

Fig. l2 isa perspective view of one form of intermediate coupling member employed in thesel universal joints. 1 50 Fig. 13 is a longitudinal sectional view through the front universal joint and through the telescopic coupling taken on the plane of the line |3l3 of Fig. 10.

Fig. 14 is a transverse 55 sectional view through tions.

' and 2l of the universal Joint. secured to their respective shafts in any suitable the extensible coupling taken on the plane of the line |4-l4 of Fig. 13.

Fig. 15 is a transverse sectional view across the front end of the aforesaid coupling, taken on the plane of the line lI-IB of Fig. 13. *Y

Fig. 16 -is a fragmentary longitudinal sectionA through the extensible coupling,.taken approximately on the Aplane ofthe line I S-IE of Fig. 14.

the coupling, the elastic inserts.

Fig. 18 is a transverselsectional view through the pivot plane of one form of the universal joint. Fig. 19 is a side view, partly in section, illustrating another form of the universal joint:

Fig. 20 is a view similar to Fig. 18 illustrating a modiied construction corresponding to Fig. 19. Referring to the construction illustrated in 2, the driving and Vdriven sections o1' Said yokes may be theV yoke 24 being illustrated Vas provided with ak tapered' hub 26, which is clamped over the tapered end oi' the shaft A by anut .21 screwing( over the end of the also keyed to ing apertured bosses 29 disposed in alinement with thebosses or sleeves V24', i 25'. Extending outwardly through these alined bosses are connecting pins 3| in the form of bolts having their heads I2 abutting against the inner ends o1' the aper- 24', zu' and 2s receive the elastic bushings sa. When these bushings are mounted over the pins in the assembled joints they completely :lll the space between each pin and the tapered seating sockets24', 25 and between each pin and the inner wall of the apertured boss 29. Means are tion by cotter pins 38 adapted to pass through castellated end portions of the nuts and through holes in the bolts Il. To prevent the bolts from turning, -inl the operation of compressing the bushings, the bolt heads 32 are notched out at 24 are compounded of a. mixture of rubber and fabric molded into the depermanently set up boss 24' or 25', with Vby the inner face of the boltthe bushings nevertheless possessing suillcient elasticity to accommodate the entire range oi' oscillatory movement between the pins. 3| and thel sleeves 24', 26 by elastic ilexure occurring within the body ofl the bushing.

The endwise compression pressure which is in each bushing expands the er and outer surfaces thereof into such firm frictional engagement with the surface of the pin 3l and with the inner surfaces of the bosses 24', and `29 that the greatest rangerof oscillatory movement between each pin and itsrespective the universal joint operating at its maximum angle, will be absorbed solely as surfaces with which it is in contact against the quent upon the substantial elimination of all end play of the pins 3| relatively to their respective yokes. That is to say, in the absence of endwise compression pressure in the bushings the intermediate'coupling member 28V is free to vibrate. laterally with respect to the center of rotation of the drivingyoke 24, and the driven yoke 25 is free to vibrate laterally relatively to the driving yoke 24 and relatively to the intermediate pling member 28, whereby the rearwardly extending portion B of the propeller shaft receives the cumulative eil'ect of both lateral vibrations. This is effectively avoided in the present conto the fact that the endwise with respect to driving yoke 24 and also holds the driven yoke 25 properly centered with respect to the intermediate coupling member.

'Ihe bushings may be molded with a continuous and 25. In the tratedl it will bottom of construction illusbe observed that the inner end or the socket in each boss 29 is dened head 32, such consoV struction being preferable as it allows the en` f tire sectional thickness of the` bushing to he effective for absorbing torque shock, although, if`

desired, a rib or `flange may be extendedinwardly at the bottom of the boss 29 with Vthe inner edge.. of said flange spaced from the shank .of the bolt Il. As above indicated, the transverse elasticity in each bushing 34 serves .to absorb torque pulsav tionsor any other torsional shock which either.

shaft section might tend to transmit through the universal joint. It will be observed that the inz ner sides of the bosses or sleeves 24' and 26' are spaced from the outer sides of the. bosses V.2l son `ensue extensible scribed.

" by two similarelastic their compression pressures lare `transmitted lto each other. `It will be evident that by drawing up u with theyoke bosses and with the boss or the .coupling surfaces into tight engagement withthe bolt. In

\ proper length when compressed endwise;V also 4Ib. The head 44 of each bolt that no metallic contact and consequent wear can occur betweenthese parts, the endwise pres-- sure lestablished in` the bushings permitting 'of i this noating support of the `intermediate coupling member between the two yokes. i

The `driven yoke 25 may be connected with the propeller shaft B through thesiidable spline coupling illustrated in Fig. V1 or through any of Vthe couplings tobe hereinafter de-'i Figs. 6 and `'I illustrate a modified form of `universal joint wherein the pivot axes "connecting the intermediate coupling member or knuckle block with thetwo yokesaredisposed `in offset' planes. The driving vyoke 24` comprises the tapered' `bosses or sleeves 24'` as previously described,` and the driven element of thejoint also e comprises the tapered bosses or sleeves 25. The coupling member or-lrnuckle block u two oifset hubs 4Ia 4i comprises and 4lb extending at right angles to each other, the hub 4ia being -alined with the bosses 24' and the hub 4ib being alined i with the bosses 25'. "A couplingpln in the form of a bolt 42 extends entirely'through thebosses 24" and hub 4la, and a similargcoupling pin 43 extends entirely through the bosses 25' and hub bears upon a washer 4I and a nut screwing over the threaded endfof lthe vbolt bears against a` washer 41,'v 'the elastic `bushings being compressed `betweenl i the-washers and 41u.l Each pivot bolt 42 and 4l is separatedfrom the bosses of its `yoke and from the alined hubor boss of the knuckle block bushings 48 which are inserted inlplace from opposite sides of the yoke.` As shown in Figs. 'l and 9. each bushing comprises la conical head portion which seats in thtapered --socket ofthe yoke; and a on thev n ut 46 of the associated bolt the two bushingswill be compressed endwise, thereby expanding their outer surfaces into tight engagement member, and also expandingthe inner this construction. as well as inthe various other constructions illustrated in,` they drawings the bushings are originally molded longer than the 1 space they-are to fill so that they will be ofthe in each instance the bushings aresuiliciently surrounded or confined to permit a relatively heavy compressi l bushingbulging outwardly to an objectionable degree at different points. the relativelynrm character ofthe bushing resulting-from its fabric con- `n beingfset `up therein without the y tent also cooperating in Vthis regard to sustain p these compression pressures without injury to the bushings and without outward bulging.

It `win benoten in Fiss. 6 and 'runat the uns` 424I have airesilient mounting inthe coupling member 4i, by virtue .of thebushings` extending into the' bosses 4in and 4ib, which resilient mounting permits some of the lrelative oscillatory movement of the joint to occur between the pins `and coupling member, and also results in torsional shockbeing absorbed 4betwcenthe pins and cou` pling member. The construction shown in Figs.

l and 2 alsohas thesamecharacteristic of absorbing ltorsional shock between the pins and coupling member by virtue of the bushings I4 extending lnto the bosses 29 between the pins and coupling member. i It will1be evident that lthe modified construction illustratedin Figs. 6 and 'I alsohas the aforementioned attributes of avoidingall metal-to-metal contact between oscillaa tory parts and of avoiding vibration land. whip of the intermediate couplingmember and oflthe rearwardly extending propeller shaft. f

Figs. 6,`7 d 8 also illustratev an elastic extensible coupling between the universal joint and the shaft B.- This end of said shaft'has a sectional formation resembling a cross (E158) comprising a plurality of radially extendingl arms or ribs BI extending longitudinally 4of the shaft.

sleeve composed oftwo sections 52, 52 which are clamped together in assembledfrelation by bolts 53 passing through apertured `lugs adjacent to the ends of the sleeve sections 52. The yoke arms l'in which the bosses 25u" are formed are preferably constructed was integral parts of the sleeve sections 52,` although these 'parts may be constructed separatelyand joined together in any suitable mannerif desired. The sleeve sections are formed with longitudinally extending grooves or channels-54 shapedto conform substantiallyi with the rbsi on the shaft Br'Interposed between Engaging over thisportion of the shaft is a` the shaft'and sleeve throughout the entire length of the sleeve is an elastic insert Si which is also molded lof a compound of rubber and fabric, as

described oi' the aforementioned bushings. C' 'Itis elastic insert is caused to conform to the irregular surfaces of the shaft and sleeve andis compressed into tight engagement'with. said surfaces by the pressure established between the twosleeve s ections in drawing up on the'bolts 53. The relatively heavy compressione! the elastic insert establishes such high frictional pressure between the-surfaces of the insert and the surfaces of the `shaft and sleeve that all relative movement between the shaft and sleeve occurs as flexureof the insert rather than as relative' sliding movement between ,the contacting surfaces of the parts. That isto say. in any endwise movement of the shaft within the sleeve incident tothe extension or contraction of the effective length 'of the shaft the-elastic Vinsert will Iyieldjor nex along longitudinal lines so that the relative movement between 'the shaft and'sleeve will be absorbed by the elasticity of the insert and there will be no sliding of the insert along `either the shaft or sleeve.

It will be apparent that the foregoing construction of expans'lblecoupling avoids all metal-tometal sliding contactsl with their Vconsequent wear,

and-avcids the usual .play and noise which de- Vthe yoke 24 would Vsleeves or pockets 24" kunderstood that in the .velops in these couplings; The construction shown also has the further advantage of cushioning torque impulses or other torsional shocks transmitted in either direction through the coupling. "I'he irregular sectional formation of the shaft and of the sleeve increases the effective surface area with which the elastic insert engages. v 1- Fig. 10 shows a complete propeller shaft assembly, illustratinguniversal joints of the present invention at the front and rear ends of the shaft and illustrating another form of elastic extensible coupling between the front universal joint and the shaft. Fig. 11, corresponding to a section through the rear portion of the propeller shaft, illustrates a modified form of universal joint. In this constructionv the pins or bolts are rigidly secured to the intermediate knuckle block or coupling member, and the elasticbushings are in the form of short conical sections. The pins 51 have threaded inner ends 51' which screw into tapped holes in the intermediate coupling block 58,. Such couplingblock is illustrated in Fig. 12, and the mounting of the four pins therein is illustrated in Fig. 18, from which 4latter figure it will be seen that the interior of the block is preferably` hollow and the pins are rigidly secured in the threaded bosses of the blocky by transverse `keys or pins 59 passing through the block and through the threaded portions 51' of the coupling pins. AThe sleeves at the ends of the yokes 24 and 25 are constructed in the form of tapering cup-shaped pockets 24" and 25", each comprising an inwardly extending flange 6| for substantially closing the bottom of the pocket.

The annular opening in this bottom flange through which the .pin 51v extends is made suilciently larger than the shank vof the pin to permit the desired amount of lateral freedom of the pin in the socket. Ther elastic bushings 62 are of short conical formation adapted to seat onV the inwardly extending flange 6l at the bottom of each boss or pocket 24, 25". Engaging over the outer end of each bushing is the washer 63 and nut 84 which serve to compress the bushing axially of the pin 51 for expanding the bushing into firm engagement with the pin and with the side and bottom walls of the cup-shaped `pockets 24", 25". These bushings are-also composed of a compound of rubber and fabric, and by virtue of the longitudinal compression vthereof the same advantages are obtained as described of the preceding embodiments. In the case of the rear universal joint preferably be formed with a tubular boss 65 having telescopic engagement with the tubularV propeller shaft B and'secured thereto by rivets 66, and the other yoke 25 would preferably vbe. formedrwith a hub 81` which is keyed and clamped to the short section of shaft 68 extending into the differential housing.

Fig. 13 illustrates a--typical adaptation of this same construction in the front universal joint. Frequentlythis front joint' is associated directly kwith the propeller shaft brake drum 69, and to simplify the construction and assembly of the mechanism I contemplate forming the cup-shaped as integral extensions of brake drum. It will be previously described constructions illustrated in Figs. 1, 2, 6 and 7 the bosses or sleeves 24 can also be formed integral with the propellershaft brake drum in this same manner.

, 1| indicates the stub shaft leading from the the webportion of the selective speed transmission mechanism, and on which shaft the brake drum is mounted, being secured thereto by a nut 12 screwing over the threaded end of the shaft 1, which nut is accessible through the central space between the pocket extensions 24". 'I'he mounting of the pins 51.in the intermediate coupling block 58 and the detail construction in other respects is substantially a duplication of that illustrated in Figs.r 11, 12 and 18. Y

I have shown the yoke 25 of this front joint as being connected with a modified form of-extensible coupling. The arms of the yoke are formed integral lwith or are otherwisesecured to a relatively long sleeve 14 into which extends a shaft section 15. Referring to Fig. 14, the interior of the sleeve is cylindrical with the exception of two diametrically opposite ribs 18 extending longitudinally throughout the length of the sleeve. The shaft 15 is formed with two-corresponding ribs or flanges 11l extending along the length of the shaft at diametrically opposite sides thereof, the rims 11 being disposed within the sleeve substantially at right angles to the ribs 16. 'I'he inner surfaces of the ribs 16 are spaced from the cylindrical surface of the shaft, and correspondingly the outer surfaces vof the ribs 11 are spaced from the cylindrical inner surface of the sleeve, sothat no metallic contact occurs between the shaft and sleeve. Filling the arcuate spaces defined between these pairs of ribs are elastic inserts 18, 18 which extend substantially throughout the entire length of the sleeve.

The front ends of these arcuate inserts abut Athe front Wall 19 which substantially closes the front end of the sleeve 14., As shown in Fig. 15, the shaft 15 may be extended into or'through this front wall 19 by providing the latter with an opening 8l corresponding in shape with the sectional formation of the shaft, such opening being larger than the shaft tovavoidUmetal-to-metal contact between these parts. VThe elastic inserts 18 are compressed longitudinally of the coupling by an end cap 82 which is secured to the open rear end of the sleeve by cap screws 83 screwing into threaded openings tappetiv in the-ribs 16,.see`Fig. 14. The inner face of the cap or plate 82 is formed with arcuate lugs 84 whichv enter the arcuate spaces between the pairs of ribs `16 and 11 and compress the elastic inserts 18 under the `pressure of the screws 83 in drawing the plate down against the end of the sleeve 14. long or longer than the sleeve so that they will be compressedrto a considerable pressure by the lugs 84. The rear end of the shaft section 15 is formed with an enlarged head portion .85 which is Weldedv or otherwise secured to the tubular propeller shaft B. The ribs 11 extend back to this enlarged portion, and where they pass through the end cap 82 `the latter is formed with slotted openings 82 (Fig. 17), this portion ofthe cap being reenforced by raised ribs or protuberances 82. The side surfaces 84 ofthe slots and of the coextensive lugs 84 (Fig. 17) are spaced from the adjacent surfaces of the ribs 11 so that the shaft and sleeve can Voscillate relatively to each other to a limited degree without the ribs 11 striking the adjacent lugs 84.

The elastic inserts 18 are also composed of fibrous rubber compounded of rubber and fabric. The endwise compression thereof established through the end plate 82 firmly binds these inserts to the sleeve and to the shaft'so that rela- 'Ihe inserts are originally made as4 scribed, or .these pins surfaces of the coup Y i While I have described several forms of my inven'tion representing ing tapered sleeves at 1,997,488 posed in alignment with respect to said sleeves and arts occurs entirely through longitudinal fiexure r distortion of the inserts `rather than by slidng contact `between any ofi these ileeve and shaft are also free to oscillate-anguarly relatively to each other for the purpose of absorbing torsional strainlor shock, the elastic inserts being compressed "between the ribs 18 and 11 in such `relative movement. The` long length of the coupling and the permanent pressure established shaft and eleeve inaccurate axial alinement at all times so that there is no tendency oi the propeller shaft to vibrate and whip.- 'i Fig. 19 illustrates a construction which can bek readily substituted'for other existing types of universal joints without terial alteration of the standarddesign ofthe parts. -To :this end, the bosses or sleeves 2l' and 25 are each constructed as a separate unit adapted for bolting attachment'to a rotary element constituting part of the line of power transmissionv fshafting. Each `of these sleeve units is formed with a laterally `extending threaded stud 81 adapted to engage ina hole in the rotary mounting element andtd receive a nut 88 for clamping the stud therein. A's illustrative of such mounting, I have shown the studs 81 of the two `sleeves 24 extending through apertured-bosses B8 formed in the web portion of the propeller shaft brake drum 69', the pro-J- jecting threaded ends of the studs receiving the nuts 88` on the innerside of the brake drum.

The corresponding studs of the other two sleeves 25' are illustrated as extending through holes ina iiange or 'collar 9| secured to the end of the propeller shaft B or tothe front end of an extensible couplingsuch as is illustrated in Fig. 135 The shank portions of thestuds 81 may be `tapered if desired for -binding engagement in `tapered-holes inthe members 69' and 9|. The sleeves or bosses 2|' and25 may be ofV straight conical formation as illustrated in Figs. 1, `2, 6 and '1, or they may be cup-shaped as illustrated in Figs. 1l and13`. The construction and arrangement ofthe pins 92 may correspond with any of the constructions previously demay constitute integral intermediate coupling block,

Fig. 20. 'Ihis integral forextensions of the as best illustrated in mationof the pns 92 and block is particularly adapted to the construction shown in Fig. 19 wherein the separatefsleeve units 2,4 and 25.*` can be assembled over fthe'-l `pins prior to the mounting of these sleeve unit'sgon `the rotating elements v69. andiii. When sleeves having open inner ends are employed, corresponding to those illustrated in Figs. 1, 2, 6 and?, the elastic bushing 94 may be brought to seat against `a iianged seating surface 95K formedon the coupling block,V y'Iheendwisecompression then established in the bushing throughthe washer 96 and nut 91 will cause the entire inner end of the bushing to be pressediagainst the. seating surface `s-,which will increase the area lof frictional engagement between the bushing andthe block.

what I consider to bepreferred constructions, i the invention -isnotlimited thereto, but can be practiced in other forms.' f

I-claim: e i A universal joint comprising two-yokes havtheir ends, an intermediate coupling member including apertured bosses disparts. The

*elastic bushings compressed between said bosses and `said. pins, andbetweensaid 'tapered sleeves inthe inserts maintains the' necessitating any mai it will: be understood that having radially extending pins disposed in said bosses and extending through said sleeves, and

and s aid pins whereby relative oscillatorymovements between the pinsiand sleeves and between the pins'and bosses are accommodated by the flexing of saidbushings.

` `2. A universal jointcomprising two yckes disposed substantially at right angles to each other, radially extending socketsformed in the ends of the yoke arms, said sockets being of diminishing taper fromv their outer to their inner enda'an intermediate coupling member disposed between the arms of said yokesl bolts carried by said coupling member and extending outwardly through said sockets,` elastic bushings engaging between said bolts and coupling member and having conical outer surfaces for seating in said tapered sockets, and means comprising nuts and screwing over the threaded-outer ends of said bolts for compressing said bushings.` inwardly into saidv sockets to expand the'sarne into tight engagement between said boltsand said coupling member and between thebolts andthe taperedwalls of said sockets whereby relative oscillatory movements between the bolts and the coupling member and between the bolts and said sockets are accom-f modated by iiexure ofthe bushings;

3. A universal joint adapted forinterposition in a line of,v power transmission shafting,`com prising four sleeveshaving central openings providing frusto-conical seating surfaces and adapted tobe disposed in alined pairs substantially at right angles to each other, said sleeves all being separate units, stud means associated with each of said sleeves for mounting the same in pairs n driving and driven rotary elements interposed in the line of shafting, an intermediate coupling member'mo'unted between said sleeves, pins extending from said coupling member `outwardly through said sleeves,` and frusta-conical elastic bushings interposed between said pins and sleeves and compressed into tight frictional engagement with both whereby relative oscillatory movements between said pins and sleeves are accommodated by iiexure of the bushings.

4. vA universal joint adapted for inter-position in a line of power transmission shafting, comprising foursleeves having tapering sockets therein, said sleeves all being separate units and being adapted to bedispcsed in aligned pairs substantially at right angles to eachother, attach- 'ing means associated with each of said sleeves for securing the same in pairs on driving and driven rotary elements interposed in the line of shafting,

an intermediate ,coupling member mounted between said sleeves, seating surfaces on said coupling member extending transverselyacross Vthe vinner end of each sleeve in spaced relation therei to, pins extending from said seating surfaces outwardly into said sleeves, and elastic bushings compressed'between said pins and sleeves, the securing of said sleeves to said rotary elements by said attachment means maintaining said elastic bushings under compression in said taperingcupshaped sockets whereby-relative oscillatory move- `ments between said pins and sleeves are accom- Y ,modated by ilexure of` said bushings.

5,; A connection comprising `two parts adapted to have relative oscillatory movement, studs carried lby one ofsaid parts and projecting therefromsubstantially in axial alignment, sockets carand means, for compressing said Ysaid bosses,

` having' inwardly iianged bottom portions through which said studs extend, yieldable bushings between said studs and said sockets adapted to ex intheosillatorymovement between said parts,

bushings.

6. Av connection comprising two members adapted to have relative oscillatory movement, oppositely projecting studs rigidly secured to one of said members, sockets carried by the -other of said members and extending over said studs, the adjacent;` inner ends of said sockets having aperturedvbottom portionsI through which said studs extend',bushings of elastic materialfseated in said sockets against said bottom portions and surrounding said studs, and nuts screwing over said studs for compressing said bushings between said sockets and said studs. 1

7. A universal joint comprising two main driving and driven members adapted to have relative oscillatory movement, an intermediate member comprising four studs projecting outwardly therefrom at right angles to each other, a pair of sockets carried by the driving member and disposed over two of saidstuds and a pair of sockets carried by said driven member and disposed over the other two studs, the adjacent inner ends of said sockets having inwardly iianged bottom portions provided with central openings through which' said studs extend in spaced relation to the edges of said openings, elastic bushings surrounding said studs and seated in said sockets and bearing against said bottom portions, andi means for compressing said bushings between said sockets and said studs whereby relative oscillatory movement between said sockets and studs occurs by flexure of the bushing material.y

l8. A universal joint connection comprising a coupling element having two pairs of axially aligned apertured bosses, pins extending through two aligned pairs of tapering sleeve 'members secured-to separate rotating elements, said pins extending through said sleeve, and elastic bushings disposed about said pins and having cylindrical sections between said pins and said v` l bosses, and conical sections between said pins and said sleeve members. 9. A universal joint connection comprising a coupling element having two pairs of axially aligned apertured bosses, pins extending through said bosses, two aligned pairs of tapering sleeve members secured to separate rotating elements, said pins extending through said sleeves, elastic bushings of initially misto-conical section disposed about said pins, and means engaging the ends of said pins for imparting axial compression to said bushings to form said frusto-conical bushings into bushings having cylindrical sections between said `pins and said bosses, and conical sections between said pins and said sleeve'members.

10. A flexible connection comprising driving and driven members each having trunnions,

means flexibly connecting the trunnions of one member 'with the trunnions of the other, said connecting means comprising a seat for each trunnion, 'each seat being in the shape of the frustum of a cone having its larger base presented outwardly, a. bearing block mounted on each trunnion and composed of deformable resilient material and having its outer seat-engaging wall surface of a frustum of a cone, normally of greater external area than the internal aera of the cooperating seat whereby, when the trunnion and the bearing block thereon yare insertedl into said seat the bearing block will be compacted between` its trunnion and the inner wall of. its seat.`

11. A ilexible connection comprising driving and driven members, `means providing Vfor relative oscillatory movement therebetween includ-` members disposed thereingtrunnions for said between and lying in a plane `normal tothe axes of said members, means flexibly connecting the trunnions for one of said members with the trunnions for the other of said members, said c'onnecting means` comprising a seat for' each trunnion, each seat being in` the shape of ay frustum of a cone having it lar'gery base presented outwardly, a bearing block`mountedfon each trunnion and composed of deformable resilient material having its outer seat-engaging wall in the shape of the surface of a frustum of a cone, the said bearing block being normally of greater external areathan the internal area of the cooperating seat whereby, when the trunnion and bearing block thereon are inserted into said seat the wbearing block will be compressed between its trunnion and the inner wall of said seat.

12. The combination with a driving member and a Adriven member, of a universal coupling therebetween comprising a yoke-like member carried by each of said driving and driven members, each of said.yokelike members having a pair of spaced tapered sleeves disposed incoaxial alignment,v the axes of the sleeves of both said yokelike members extending normal to each other andA lying in a common plane extending normal to the axis of said driving member and disposed between said driving and driven members, an intermeditive oscillatory movement between said pins andV sleeves.

13. The combination with s driving member and a driven member, of a universal coupling therebetween comprising supporting means secured to the adjacent ends of said driving and driven members, oppositely tapered sleeve means disposed in coaxial alignment on opposite sides of the axis of said driving member and carried by said supporting means, oppositely tapered sleeve means disposed in coaxial alignment on opposite sides of-the axis of said'driven member and extending normal to the axis of the sleeve means carried by said driving member, said last named sleeve means being carried by the supporting means secured to said driven member, all ofsaid sleeve means being disposed in a'plane spaced rearwardly of andextending normal to the axis of said driving member, an intermediate coupling member lying in said plane and having radially extending pins carried by said coupling member and. projecting outwardly and axially through each of said sleeve means, tapered elastic bushings disposed about said pins and engaging the taperedinterior surfaces of said sleeve means, and means mounted at the extending ends of said pins and movable axially thereof for compressing said bushings between said pins and said interior surfaces whereby relative oscillatory movement between said sleeve means and said pins is accommodated by theilexing 'oi' said bushings.

` member,

adapted to be disposed in aligned pairs at sub- `14s.. universal joint comprising a `driving a driven member, four studmembers stantially right angles to eachother, said stud members having means for securing the same in xed position upon said driving and driven menibers, an intermediate coupling membermounted between `said stud members, truste-conical seatformed in said stud members, radipin member extending into saidstud members centrally of said sockets, and elastic bushings having i frusto-conical lateral surfaces interposedbetweensaid pin members and said stud members within said sockets and compressed into tight iricticnal.

engagement therebetween whereby relative oscillatory movements `between said pin members and stud membersareaccommodated by `iiexure of saidbushings. t v t,

15.,A universal joint ior coupling a driving member and driven member together in' a line of power studs securedinpairs at right angles to each other on said driving and driven members and projecting into a common plane extending normal to the axis of one of said members intermediate r seating surfaces andreceiving said pins, and elastic bushings interposed about eachloisaid pins within said sockets andcompressed axially of said pins into tight irictional engagement with said irusto-conical surfaces o! saidsockets whereby relative oscillatory movement between said pins and studs is accommodated by ilexure'of said bushings. n i

`16. A universal joint for coupling a driving member and driven member together in a line having truste-conical seating members on said coupling `ceiving `said pins, seating surfaces on saidfcoutransmission shaiting comprising four having radially said sockets, and elastic bushings about saidpins A studs secured other on said lin pairs at extending normal to the axisof one of said mem'- bers intermediate coupling member lying in said plane andhavingradially extending pins,\sockets in said studs surfaces-and re'- pling member atthe inner ends'of said pins extending transversely across lthe adjacent ends of said sockets in spaced relation thereto, and elastic `bushings interposed about each or said pins withlirifsaid sockets and compressed axially o! said pins into saidy transverse seating surfaces of said cou-- pling member whereby relative oscillatory movementbetween said pins and studs is accommodatdby nexu're of seien ninas. l. i 17. In combination, ina1 universal Joint of the class described including a member anda driven member, a pair of diametrically opposed studs. means' for 4securing -saidV studs to said A driving member, a second pairoiopposed studs atv right angles to said rst studs, means for securing said second pair of. studs to said driven'member,

sockets ineach of said studs having vfrusta-conical j seating surfaces, an intermediate coupling member betweensaid driving and driven members extending pins projecting'into and trictionally engaging said seating surfaces, said securing means maintaining saidbushings der compression insaid sockets whereby iiexure of said bushings accommodates relative oscillatory movement between said pins and studs.

v RAYMOND HENRY.

of power transmission shatting comprising four right angles to each e driving and `driven members, re-3 spectively, and projecting into a common planeA said members, an intermediate tight frictional engagement `with said Irusto-conical surfaces of said sockets and against 

